An afternoon chaser

Before getting to the meat and potatoes of the afternoon posts, The Kid passes along this from the current Sports Illustrated.

"Sometimes those five-tool players evolve into two- or three-tool players, and you're delighted to have them," says Orioles G.M. Andy MacPhail. That's why MacPhail is thrilled ("beyond my wildest expectations," he says) by the early performance of his club's own five-tooler, centerfielder Adam Jones.

Jones won't turn 24 until August, but he's emerged as one of the most fearsome all-around threats in the AL. Through Sunday he ranked fourth in batting average (.358), fifth in slugging percentage (.625) and was tied for first in runs scored (33) and outfield assists (three). He could easily have more than his current three stolen bases, but he's smart enough to know that attempting to swipe bags is often not worth the risk in a lineup that has two of the league's top RBI men (Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff) hitting behind him. "I want to run," he says, "but I understand that I'm in scoring position for both those guys when I'm on first base."

Prodigal Beat Writer take note. You had the scoop on SI by a couple of days! Well done, sir, well done.